A STUNNING handmade dollshouse, which was a treasured family heirloom, has been stolen from a grandmother-of-five while she was ill.

Callum Wyatt, 34, from Southport, is making an emotional appeal after his grandmother Margaret Reece's metre-high and metre-wide dollshouse was stolen from her home in Wavertree earlier this month while she was away from the house for medical treatment.

He said that the front window was pulled out of its frame by a crowbar and the huge dollshouse was taken from the property, which would have been 'heavy enough to need at least three people to carry it' as well as its miniature figurines and furniture, which he believes were placed inside a suitcase, which was also stolen from her house at the same time. The dolls house, which was made by his grandfather over the course of seven years, is unique and easily recognisable.

It was made by hand, with individual working lights, tapestries, wallpaper, hand-carved spindles and covered in more than 2,000 individually placed miniature clay bricks.

It was made for Margaret by her husband Stanley as a 'huge romantic gesture' as she loves dollshouses – and took no less than seven long years for him to complete. It is especially heart-breaking for the family as Stanley passed away eight years ago – and Margaret is currently very ill with a life-limiting condition.

The family have been unable to tell her that the item has been stolen as they are afraid of upsetting her while she is so ill.

The heartless thieves also took a TV cabinet, which was made to look like a doll's house as well.

Callum said: “The dollshouse was truly one of a kind. My nan has had the most sentimental possession stolen from her home while she is ill and I'm trying everything to get this back for her before it's too late. Her condition is deteriorating everyday and I am pleading for readers to help us – even if they know just the smallest bit of information it could help the police to reunite us with the house, which means so much to the family.

“Inside the dollshouse are little tapestries loving handcrafted by my nan, which were embroidered with their initials, M and R.

“Also stolen was the little TV cabinet house that my grandad made – and we are hoping that finding this could lead us to the dollshouse. If you know anything, please help us.”

Call the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously at crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555111.